A good Samaritan is a person who rushes to the aid of another. Many times, good Samaritans find themselves stopping alongside the road to help car accident victims. What these good Samaritans don’t realize is that they could be held liable for injuries to the car accident victim.

You may be thinking this is a horrible idea and may deter people from helping those in trouble. You’d be right.

Good Samaritans

In many states across the country, good Samaritans can be sued by car accident victims for their assistance. If a good Samaritan rushes to the aid of a car accident victim and causes further injuries to the victim, the good Samaritan is liable for those additional injuries.

These types of laws generally deter people from rendering aid to car accident victims. If you’re not medically trained, you may not know how to give proper aid and could exacerbate the victim’s injuries. This could also create legal liability problems for yourself.

California’s Good Samaritan law

In 2007, California passed its own good Samaritan law mirroring similar laws in other states. This meant that anyone who provided aid to a car accident victim could be held liable for any further injuries to that victim.

Shortly after the law was passed, a car accident involving a good Samaritan happened. In this incident, the good Samaritan witnessed an accident and mistakenly thought the car was about to burst into flames. They responded by grabbing the victim and moving her from the vehicle.

No doubt, the victim sustained injuries from the car accident. However, medical reports and testimony showed the act by the good Samaritan caused the victim’s subsequent paralysis.

This is a terrible situation and the good Samaritan intended no harm. But according to California law, the good Samaritan was liable for the paralysis of the car accident victim.

How California Protects Good Samaritans

That specific case changed California’s good Samaritan law. Today, the law is much different and protects good Samaritans when acting in response to a car accident. Good Samaritans should be confident that when they render aid to a car accident victim, their actions will not be held against them.

But, there is an exception to good Samaritan immunity. A good Samaritan who responds irresponsibly or with gross negligence may be held legally liable for their actions. What that is exactly varies from case to case.

Call your Southern California Injury Lawyer

This new law helps protect good Samaritans when they act to aid car accident victims. But it isn’t perfect and still allows some subjectivity as to what is and is not irresponsible.

Whether you have been injured by a good Samaritan or you are being sued for the help you provided to a car accident victim, you need the assistance of a skilled southern California injury lawyer. Steinberg Injury Lawyers has the experience you need to fight for you and help you protect your rights.

Car accidents happen every day. Most of them are not deadly. But some reckless drivers go to extremes with no regard for anyone else.

These types of drivers are known as street racers. People who participate in this activity race cars through city streets. Sometimes, races are organized and other times it’s just happenstance at a red light. Street racing is becoming more and more common on California roadways.

Types of Street Races

Some street races are spontaneous; a driver pulls up to a red light and catches the eye of a driver in the next lane. They exchange glances and when the light turns green, they put the pedal to the floor.

Other races are more organized. People use social media to schedule a race, sometimes with as little as just a few hours’ notice. When people arrive, there may just be two vehicles racing or dozens lining up to race.

Some races use other vehicles to block off the city streets from other traffic. Other times, the race occurs with other traffic using the same roadway. Both scenarios create extreme danger for drivers, passengers, other vehicles and pedestrians.

Who Dies in Street Races

Street races, whether organized or spontaneous, can be extremely dangerous to everyone involved including innocent bystanders. According to the California Highway Patrol, street racing deaths are on the rise. More than half of all street racing related deaths are someone other than the driver.

This is not comforting information. You could simply be driving home from work, picking the kids up from school, or walking home after dinner and quickly find yourself in a dangerous situation. Other uninvolved drivers and pedestrians account for about one quarter of all street racing related deaths.

What Happens When Someone is Killed During a Street Race?

Just like any other death, there is an investigation. Prosecutors are ramping up the charges against street racers in an effort to deter other racers. Street racers who cause fatalities are being charged with more intense crimes and longer prison terms. They also instantly become a target for a wrongful death suit.

And when you think about it, that’s fair. These street racers are making a conscious decision to endanger lives of everyone around them at risk. When that unfortunate situation occurs where a person dies, the street racer should be held accountable.

How a Los Angeles Wrongful Death Attorney Can Help

If a loved one has been the victim of a street racing death, you have a wrongful death case. While no amount of money will bring your loved one back, damages exist to help get your life back on track. We can fight for damages including:

Pain and suffering

Loss of companionship

Lost wages

Emotional distress

Call Your Wrongful Death Attorney Los Angeles

Car accidents happen each day on California roadways. However, street racing accidents might just be the most avoidable while also being the most serious.

Steinberg Injury Lawyers has the wrongful death experience to fight against these criminal actions. You are suffering an immense loss and that’s where we can help. We know this won’t help bring your loved one back, but it will help the healing process.

Contact us today for a free, no obligation evaluation of your case to see how we can help you move forward.

A car accident can be one of the most traumatic moments of your life. When the accident isn’t your fault, you’re frustrated and angry, but worse, you’re also perpetually worried about your health and expenses.

To make matters worse, some drivers don’t carry insurance. Even though it’s California law to carry car insurance, some drivers refuse to purchase it. If you have been injured in a car accident by a driver without car insurance, you may think you have an easy case to win against the other driver. You could be wrong.

Consider Protecting Yourself With More Coverage

First off, you can protect yourself with additional coverage. In California, you have the option to add uninsured motorist coverage to your insurance policy. While this may sound like something you don’t need - it is the law, after all, that all drivers carry insurance – this insurance may protect you from drivers who violate the law and don’t carry insurance. In the unfortunate situation you are injured in a car accident caused by a driver without insurance, this coverage can help significantly with your medical bills.

What Happens When a Driver Doesn’t Have Insurance?

Often times, drivers won’t admit they don’t have insurance. If you’re hit by another driver, you should always ask for their insurance information. You may consider taking a photo of the license plate as a precaution. Calling the police is another way to verify insurance, as the report can help later on to prove your uninsured motorist claim. The police may also issue a citation for no insurance.

Once you have insurance information, make sure to supply that to your insurance company and your Los Angeles personal injury lawyer. Your insurance company should contact the other driver’s insurance company and rule out whether they have an active policy.

What Happens When You File an Uninsured Motorist Claim?

You may reach the point where you need to file an uninsured motorist claim with your insurance company. They’re going to help you, right? Not always.

Insurance companies, even your own, are notorious for denying otherwise legitimate claims. Your insurance company will scrutinize your uninsured motorist claim. They may say you were partially at fault and not eligible for full damages. They may argue your injuries are pre-existing or question the severity of your injury.

In most cases, individuals pursuing an uninsured motorist claim need a personal injury lawyer. While you get treatment and recover from your injuries, an attorney can handle the correspondence and negotiation with your insurance company.

A personal injury lawyer will help organize your medical bills and submit a demand that actually requests full compensation for your pain, suffering, lost wages and overall lost quality in life. It’s very difficult to get compensated for non-tangible items on your own.

Call Your Personal Injury Lawyer Los Angeles

Car accidents happen every day on California roadways, including accidents with uninsured drivers. If you find yourself in that unfortunate situation, you deserve a skilled and trusted personal injury lawyer to fight for you.

Steinberg Injury Lawyers has the experience you need to prove your case whether you’re fighting the uninsured driver, your insurance company, or both. We’re here to help you maximize your coverages and get the compensation you deserve.

Contact us today for a free, no obligation evaluation of your case to see how we can help you move forward.

Legalized marijuana use for both medical and recreational purposes is sweeping the nation. Is there a link between marijuana use and car accidents? A new study suggests there is.

Insurance Institute for Highway Safety

This study, completed in October 2018, suggests a 6% increase in automobile accidents in Washington, Oregon, and Colorado, where recreational use of marijuana is legal. Is California next?

Symptoms While Driving Under the Influence of Marijuana

When operating a vehicle under the influence of marijuana, drivers tend to have slower reactions. When people behind the wheel have slower reactions, more accidents are likely to happen.

The study found drivers under the influence of marijuana would weave in the lane more frequently than drivers not under the influence of marijuana. In addition, drivers under the influence of marijuana tended to have less cognitive ability, meaning their decision making was also impaired.

It’s worth noting that in every single state, driving under the influence of any substance, including alcohol and marijuana, is illegal.

Even so, with the increase of legalized marijuana use across the country, including California, you may find yourself in a car accident caused by someone under the influence of marijuana.

What to Do Immediately After a Car Accident

Immediately following an accident, you should:

Call 911

Get a police report to show proof the other driver was under the influence of marijuana

If you’re able to move around, take as many pictures and videos as you can of your vehicle, the other vehicle and the surrounding area

When you are injured in a car accident, you’re in pain. Add in frustration and worry and it becomes nearly impossible to think about anything else. Your Southern California personal injury lawyers are here to help you get back on your feet and get back to your regular life.

Recovering Damages for Your Personal Injury

When you’re injured in a car accident, your injuries may not initially seem severe. However, even minor injuries can quickly create piles of medical bills you may not be able to afford. Your paycheck may have stopped or been reduced while off work, and your medical bills keep increasing as your recovery continues. If you’re not getting anywhere with the insurance company, you might need a lawyer to hold the at-fault party accountable for your medical bills.

Call Your Southern California Personal Injury Lawyer

Accidents can and do happen, especially with legalized recreational marijuana in California. You deserve a skilled and trusted personal injury lawyer to fight for you.

Steinberg Injury Lawyers has the experience you need to get the compensation you deserve to deal with this terrible situation. Money won’t help restore your life completely but it will help you heal. And that’s what we’re here to do for you. Let us deal with the legal work while you focus on your recovery.

Contact us today for a free, no obligation evaluation of your case to see how we can help you move forward.

The holidays. That short sentence is capable of bringing so many emotions. You get to spend time with loved ones and eat good food. You also deal with the stress of travel, finances and what gifts to buy for people.

We don’t normally think of shopping as an extreme sport… at least not most of us. But with all of the emotion and stress surrounding the holidays, shopping often becomes a dangerous sport when everyone’s trying to score the best deal.

Seriously, Shopping Can Be Dangerous?

Yes, it can. Black Friday, when so many brick and mortar stores have their lowest prices of the year, brings out hordes of people looking for that right gift at the best price. Many times, these stores only carry a handful of the big ticket items like new gaming systems, televisions and tech toys.

From a business perspective, Black Friday makes sense. Stores get people in the door so when inevitably they run out of big-ticket items, consumers can still find similar replacements. Black Friday sales bring in about $50 billion dollars of business for stores so the incentive is clear.

But are they really looking out for the best interests and safety of their shoppers? Maybe not.

Federal Safety Guidelines Apply to Retail Stores

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) lays out specific guidelines for stores to follow each year in anticipation of large crowds during the holiday shopping season. These guidelines include:

Clearly labeled doors and exits with a clear passage

Security personnel on-hand

Ropes to keep lines orderly

Stores must adhere to capacity rules

Stores must have and follow emergency procedures

Many stores follow these guidelines. Others do not. Even stores that are stringent about following the guidelines still have accidents occur. With that many people, it’s hard to avoid even minor incidents.

When you are out shopping this holiday season, you may run into serious issues:

Overcrowding

Stampedes as stores open

Slip and fall conditions

That last one is the most common during the holiday shopping rush. Whether it’s rainy conditions, spilled drinks, or overly waxed floors, customers like you can quickly find your day of shopping-fun ruined. Every day in the United States, about 25,000 people are injured in slip and fall accidents. During the holiday shopping season, that number increases.

You Can Recover Damages for Your Injuries

Slip and fall doesn’t sound that serious. In fact, if you find yourself on the floor, you may want to get up, brush yourself off and get back to finding those deals. But even seemingly minor slip and falls can have long-lasting repercussions.

When a business invites you to come into their store to buy their goods, they owe you a duty to keep you safe. If you have fallen, they have failed in that duty. When you slip and fall while shopping, a Los Angeles slip and fall attorney can recover damages for:

Pain and suffering

Medical bills

Emotional trauma

Lost wages

Recovery of these damages is crucial to ensure you are able to get back on your feet and get back to living your life.

Call Your Los Angeles Slip and Fall Attorney

Slip and fall accidents can and do happen, especially during the holiday shopping season. When that happens to you, you owe it to yourself and your family to make sure you get the compensation you deserve so you can make a full, complete, and fast recovery.

To give yourself the best chance of recovery, contact Steinberg Injury Lawyers, experienced slip and fall attorneys in Los Angeles. We will focus on the legal work while you focus on your recovery and spending quality time during the holidays with your loved ones.

Contact us today for a free, no obligation evaluation of your case to see how we can help you move forward.

There are more vehicles on the road today in our country than ever before. With all of those vehicles, there will certainly be accidents.

Many of these accidents will involve commercial trucks. These are extremely large vehicles that can cause serious damage to vehicles and people. When people are injured in accidents with commercial trucks, they may find it challenging to get behind the wheel again. They may even suffer from PTSD.

What is PTSD?

PTSD is post-traumatic stress disorder. You’re most likely familiar with this term referring to soldiers returning from war. But PTSD can have broader implications. It’s a brain condition where a person relives a traumatic event.

We all remember events in life. Some are good memories, and some are bad. The difference with PTSD is you don’t simply remember the event - you relive it. Reliving an event means you experience the same emotions of fear and anxiety as you did during the accident with the commercial truck.

This condition can be debilitating for many people. Reliving an event brings you back to the moment of the truck accident. This type of condition can severely impact your ability to work, make a living, support your family and live the life you used to live.

What to Do Immediately After a Truck Accident

Immediately following an accident with a commercial truck, you should:

Call 911

If you’re able to move around, take as many pictures and videos as you can of your vehicle, the truck and the surrounding area

When you are injured in a truck accident, PTSD is a real concern and you want to make sure you’re prepared. You may not experience any symptoms and think you’re fine. It can take some time for symptoms to appear and you may be caught off guard. PTSD triggers may happen as you’re driving past a truck on a freeway or you may hear the horn of a truck.

You Can Recover Damages

In addition to damages for your injuries and medical bills, you can also recover damages for PTSD. This is a condition that can rule your entire life and you deserve to be compensated for:

Pain and suffering

Loss of enjoyment of life

Emotional trauma

Inability to drive on the road

These types of damages are associated with people who suffer from PTSD. When you are injured in a truck accident and suffer from this terrible condition, you deserve to recover damages to help you get back on your feet. A Los Angeles truck accident attorney can help defend your case.

Call your Los Angeles Truck Accident Attorney

Accidents can and do happen. Truck accidents can have long-lasting impacts on your life. You deserve a skilled and trusted truck accident attorney to fight for you. Steinberg Injury Lawyers has the experience you need to help you get the compensation you deserve to help you deal with this terrible condition. Money won’t help restore your life completely, but it will help you heal. That’s what we’re here to do for you. Let us deal with the legal work while you focus on your recovery.

Contact us today for a free, no obligation evaluation of your case to see how we can help you move forward.

Limousines represent celebration and good times. You even feel a sense of excitement just upon seeing a limo.

Stretch limos provide safe transportation for a large group of people who are out drinking for the night, making it a worry-free way to celebrate with your friends and family. While it’s smart to plan ahead and prevent drinking and driving, a tragic accident last month in New York called into question the safety of limousines.

Unfortunately, the 17 people riding in that limo died in the accident while celebrating a birthday. Investigators found this limousine was actually only built to seat nine people and had just failed a safety inspection a month prior to the accident.

Sadly, a wrongful death lawyer in Los Angeles can say this easily becomes the case with many limousine accidents. Here’s what you should know to prevent this tragedy from happening to you:

What is a Stretch Limo?

Before you and your friends book a stretch limo to take you around town for an evening of fun together, ask yourself if you know what a stretch limo is.

Stretch limos are not built by the car manufacturer. They are regular vehicles that are cut in half. The top, bottom, and sides of the limo then have extra space added and welded together to extend the vehicle. The space added in between the front and the back carries extra seats to transport extra people.

Is a Limousine Safe?

It depends. Was the shop that cut the limo in half and put it back together a reputable business? Do they understand what support is required to make an extra-long vehicle safe? Unfortunately, the modifications to create a stretch limo may remove standard safety features, like airbags or rollover pillars. Generally, limousines do not meet federal safety requirements.

As a rider in a stretch limo, you may not know about the vehicle’s history, but you do know how you and your friends act while you’re in the limo.

While it’s common to be up and around having fun, wearing a seatbelt and sitting in an actual seat and not on the floor can save your life.

If you are not wearing a seatbelt and the limo gets into an accident, not only are you risking injury to yourself, you’re risking injury to other passengers. If a limo comes to an abrupt stop and you’re not belted in, you could become a flying projectile, causing severe injury or death.

The Driver Can Impact Safety

Just like when you’re driving your own car, the driver of the stretch limo you’ve rented can greatly impact the safety of you and your friends. When you are looking for a company to rent a limo, make sure you do your due diligence and review not only the company’s safety record but also the driver’s safety record.

You want to know:

Does the driver have speeding tickets?

Does the driver have accidents on his or her record?

How long has the driver been behind the wheel of a stretch limo?

Any reputable company will provide you answers to these questions. If they don’t provide you these answers or they walk around the answer, find another company.

Call your Wrongful Death Lawyer Los Angeles

Despite all of your preventative actions to ensure the safety of you and your friends, accidents happen. When these accidents occur in limousines with less safety regulations, deaths happen.

You deserve a skilled and trusted wrongful death attorney to fight for you and your family. Steinberg Injury Lawyers has the wrongful death experience you need to help you get the compensation you deserve to help you deal with this terrible loss.

Money won’t help bring your loved one back, but it will help you pay for the costs associated with this loss. A wrongful death suit may be necessary to hold individuals and companies responsible for extreme negligence to prevent further tragedy.

Contact us today at 800-989-6385 for a free, no obligation evaluation of your case to see how we can help you move forward.

For many Californians, driving is a pleasurable experience. Cruising up and down the coast with the top down is a great way to spend a Sunday morning. For others, driving in California is a nightmare. Heavy traffic and distracted drivers can easily make someone fume.

Distracted driving is a serious problem. In fact, a recent study showed distracted driving among teen drivers should make us all terrified to be on the road. Even experienced drivers who get distracted get into accidents. For teens, the combination of inexperience and texting heightens their chances of getting into an accident.

Why Texting and Driving is So Dangerous

Study after study after study has shown that texting while driving is extremely dangerous. As a result of these studies, many states have banned the use of mobile phones while driving a vehicle, though some states make texting a secondary offense.

Texting while driving impairs drivers by distracting them in three different ways all at once:

Visual - Taking eyes off the road

Manual - Taking hands off the wheel

Cognitive - Taking attention away from driving

40% of Teens Admit to Texting and Driving

The survey took place in 35 states, 34 of which ban texting while driving under the age of 21. 40% of those surveyed admitted to texting while driving at least once in the prior month.

This is a truly terrifying statistic. With an increased number of vehicles on the road and an increased number of teenage drivers, you’re bound to have a run in with one sooner or later. Your Santa Monica car accident lawyers have seen firsthand the dangers of distracted teen drivers.

What Can You Do?

Parents can help reduce the likelihood of distracted driving, as can other drivers. If teens are on the road and see someone next to them texting while driving, they’ll think it’s acceptable, too.

If you must take a call or text while you’re in the car with your child, use hands-free technology. Connect your phone to your car so you can take a call without taking your hands off the wheel. However, this is still not ideal as the conversation is also a distraction.

The best example you can set is to keep your phone out of sight and earshot while driving. If your phone is in the trunk or out of reach, your child will notice that you refuse to prioritize texting over safety. Every text can wait.

Call Your Santa Monica Car Accident Lawyer

Even if you have taken precautions as a defensive driver yourself and set a good example for your teen driver, you may still find yourself in the unfortunate situation of being involved in a car accident. When that happens, first call 911, then call Steinberg Injury Lawyers, your Santa Monica car accident lawyers.

Our clients trust us to help them get through difficult and sometimes painful times in their life. We can help you get the compensation you deserve, so you can focus on your recovery. Let the Santa Monica Car Accident lawyers handle the legal work.

Contact us today at 800-989-6385 for a free, no obligation evaluation of your case to see how we can help you move forward.

We love our dogs. Our dogs are sad to see us go and happy to see us come home. Even when a dog isn’t our own, many dogs are friendly and will welcome strangers with carefree licks.

But dogs are still animals and sometimes that can surprise us. A recent study shows that dog bite insurance claims are up across the country. Between 2016 and 2017, dog bite claims increased from 18,122 to 18,522, an increase of 2.2 percent. Why does this matter? The cost per claim rose 11.5 percent from $33,230 in 2016 to $37,051 in 2017.

California Leads Nation in Dog Bite Claims

According to the study, California is one of three states leading the nation in dog bite insurance claims. In 2017, California dog bite claims were valued at $90.4 million.

This increase is a result of an increase in the number of dog bites, the severity of dog bites, increased medical costs and increased settlements. When dog bites are more frequent, the costs are bound to go up.

What to Do if You’re the Victim of a Dog Bite?

If you have injuries, call 911. If there are no injuries, you should still call 911 to get a police report. The police report will include:

A summary of the events leading up to and including the dog bite

Witness statements

Information about your injuries and the severity

Information about the owner of the dog

The time, date, and location of the incident

A diagram of the incident

When you’re attacked by a dog, it’s important that you seek immediate medical care. Once you’re deemed to be in good health, then it’s time to make the next call: Steinberg Injury Lawyers.

What Damages Can I Get?

The damages you can obtain will depend on your actions leading up to the dog bite and the severity of your injuries. We will fight to get you the compensation you deserve so you can make a full recovery. We’ll fight to protect your rights by trying to collect damages like:

Pain and suffering

Past, present and future medical bills

Rehabilitation

Lost wages

Call your Southern California Dog Bite Lawyer

When you’ve been injured by a dog bite, call Steinberg Injury Lawyers. We are trusted Southern California Dog Bite lawyers ready to take your case.

When you’re attacked by a dog and suffer injuries as a result, you deserve the best representation you can get. We have helped many clients just like you recover damages for their injuries after a dog bite. You shouldn’t have to pay for your injuries because of the actions of someone else’s dog. You deserve to get back on your feet as soon as possible.

That’s why our clients trust us to get results. Come see for yourself. Contact us today for a free, no obligation evaluation of your case to see who we can help you move forward.

Nothing feels better than waking up refreshed after getting a full night’s rest. The alternative can leave you feeling groggy, stressed and irritated. Not getting a full night’s sleep can also make you an unsafe driver.

We don’t often think of drowsiness as a factor in car accidents. Drug use? Alcohol? Distracted driving? Those are commonly thought of as the most dangerous driving situations. But drowsiness is just as bad in many cases.

Is There a Connection Between Lack of Sleep and Car Accidents?

According to AAA, yes. AAA concluded in the first study of its kind that drowsy drivers pose a greater risk to themselves, their passengers and other drivers.

You’re probably saying, well, yeah, of course. But this study has quantified car accidents showing that 7% of all car accidents in the United States are caused by drowsy drivers.

Extremely drowsy drivers, those who had less than four hours of sleep, were 15 times more likely to cause a car accident than drivers who received seven to nine hours of sleep. This is comparable to driving with a blood alcohol content of 0.12, about 1.5 times the legal limit.

If you’ve had so much to drink that you’re stumbling to your car, you probably wouldn’t get behind the wheel to drive home. Lack of sleep can make your mind work the same way and many types of people are at risk for drowsy driving. What makes drowsiness so much more dangerous is that people don’t notice they’re impaired by their lack of sleep. There also isn’t the same stigma attached to drowsy driving as there is to drunk driving.

What Causes Car Accidents?

The root cause of car accidents is delayed reaction time. When you’re driving under the influence of alcohol, even if you’re still below the legal limit, your reaction time is delayed.

The same is true of driving drowsy. Just because you’re awake, does not mean your reaction time is any better than if you’ve had a few beers. You may feel level-headed and think you’re okay to drive, but you’re really not. In fact, you may be just as impaired from not getting a full night’s sleep as you are from drinking a few beers before getting behind the wheel. A Santa Monica car accident lawyer has seen many cases just like this.

What to Do If You’re Hit by a Drowsy Driver?

If you have injuries, call 911. If there are no injuries, you should still call 911 to get a police report. The police report will document:

A summary of what each driver, passenger and witness remember about the accident

The time, date and location of the accident

A diagram of the accident

Weather conditions

It’s important to speak with the officers about how you think the other driver may be drowsy. Drowsiness should be noted on the police report as it will allow you to share proof with your insurance company later. This will give you better standing if the police officer notes driver drowsiness on the police report. An experienced attorney can also use this information to prove negligence on the sleep-deprived driver for causing the accident.

Call Your Santa Monica Car Accident Lawyer

If you’ve been hit by a drowsy driver and you’ve suffered damage to your vehicle and injuries to yourself or a passenger, call Steinberg Injury Lawyers. We are trusted Santa Monica car accident lawyers ready to take your case.

You didn’t cause the accident, and you shouldn’t have to pay for the accident or any injuries associated with it. You owe it to yourself and to your family to contact a trusted team of car accident lawyers to be the vigorous representation you need. We’ll help you get the compensation you deserve and get you on the path to recovery.

Contact us today for a free, no obligation evaluation of your case to see who we can help you move forward.

After a car accident, it can seem as if life is standing still. All focus is turned to repairing your injuries and your vehicle. If you’re involved in a lawsuit or settlement negotiation, it may take precious focus away from your recovery.

We understand what you’re going through. Being involved in a car accident costs time and money. Let a Southern California car accident lawyer from our firm worry about protecting you so you can get back to the life you love.

An accident is bad enough but being involved in a multi-car accident exacerbates the problems. Now, you could have multiple insurance companies to deal with and several injuries because of the multiple impacts you suffered.

Who Do I Call First?

911. Your first call after a multi-car accident is always for help. You need to make sure you and the other drivers and passengers are medically checked out.

In addition, the authorities will provide an objective view of what caused the accident. The report the police provide is worth your time to call 911 to have an officer interview all of the drivers and the witnesses.

The police report will typically include:

A summary of what each driver, passenger and witness remember about the accident

The time, date and location of the accident

A diagram of the accident

Weather conditions

The police may issue citations at the scene of the accident. Even if someone is not cited for being at fault, that doesn’t mean you or your insurance will have to cover the costs of your own injuries and the damages to your vehicle. Many times, the police will not specifically name a driver at fault and will instead allow the insurance companies to investigate and determine fault.

Should I Call My Insurance Company?

Yes, you should. But do not give a statement to your insurance company. If you admit any portion of fault, you may quickly find your insurance rates going up. Instead, contact Steinberg Injury Lawyers and they will handle this for you.

Your insurance company may also offer you a settlement. Don’t take it without speaking with a Southern California car accident attorney. Many people jump at the chance to take a settlement offer because it’s quick money in your pocket when you need it most. But many settlement offers won’t account for all your upcoming costs.

Does it consider all of your automobile damages? How about your current, and more importantly, future medical bills? Future medical bills will be the most expensive part of your multi-car accident. It’s imperative to make sure you properly and accurately account for your upcoming bills.

Call Steinberg Injury Lawyers

After your multi-car accident and after you’ve called 911, call Steinberg Injury Lawyers. We have the skill and the experience required to take your case and make sure you recover the damages from the at-fault party that you need to get back on your feet.

Bird and other similar scooters are a great way to travel around congested areas like southern California. They are economical, they are great for short trips, and they are good for the environment. But Bird Scooters do have their problems and riders face many risks while riding.

An Accident Waiting to Happen

We’ve all seen Bird Scooters zipping in and out of traffic. We’ve all seen Bird Scooters just laying on the sidewalk. These are hazards not only to riders but also to pedestrians. Injuries can occur just as easily to a pedestrian as they can to someone riding the scooter.

Riders Pose a Risk

Whether that rider is you or someone else, riders pose the biggest risk. They routinely zip through intersections, disobey traffic laws, and create hazards for pedestrians. If riders are weaving in and out of traffic, if they’re failing to follow the rules of the road, they are more likely to cause injury to themselves and to others. When you’re riding a Bird Scooter, it is in your best interest to ride with caution, wear a helmet, and be acutely aware of your surroundings.

Riding a Bird Scooter makes it hard for other vehicles to see you. If you’re zipping through traffic or across intersections, you’re more likely to be injured because other drivers can’t see you. This is why it’s important for you to be vigilant and take care while riding a Bird Scooter.

Failing to Follow the Law Poses a Risk

California law prohibits scooters from riding on sidewalks or having more than one person on them at a time. The law also requires riders to wear a helmet and have a driver’s license. Not following the law is an easy way to get injured and get a fine.

Scooter riders tend to think they’re invincible. They’re not. While they may be riding something that looks like a toy, it can quickly become a dangerous mode of transportation.

Scooters and Roads Pose a Risk

Scooters themselves can pose a risk to riders. Brakes can fail. Tires can blow. Potholes can pop tires. Pedestrians can trip over scooters left on the sidewalk. There are numerous ways in which scooters can injure riders and passersby.

You can help avoid this situation by checking the scooter before you hop on. It only takes a few seconds to make sure the brakes are working correctly and the tires have enough air in them. This quick step can save you from serious injury down the road.

You can also help avoid dangerous situations by being a defensive rider and courteous citizen. Don’t leave the scooter in the middle of the sidewalk. Don’t zip in and out of traffic and across intersections. Taking precautions won’t stop all accidents on a scooter but it will increase your chances of a safe arrival at your destination.

Contact Your Scooter Accident Attorneys

Despite the careful preparation and defensive strategies while riding a Bird Scooter, accidents can and do happen. Whether you’ve been injured while riding a scooter or you’ve been injured by someone else on a scooter, you deserve to have legal representation to help you get back on your feet.

Your injuries can be severe and costly. This is why you need the trusted team of Steinberg Injury Lawyers to be the vigorous representation you need and deserve. Contact us today at 800-989-6385 for a free, no obligation evaluation of your case to see how we can help you heal and move forward.

Some brain injuries are more severe than others. All brain injuries are traumatic. When you or someone you love has suffered a brain injury, you’ll want to make sure there is adequate and rapid medical care. The faster care is received, the sooner recovery and rehabilitation can begin. However, if enough money isn’t received to ensure coverage of all current and future medical bills, you could be left paying for injuries you didn’t cause. Hiring a Los Angeles Brain Injury Lawyer can help you with the process.

Is a Settlement the Best Option?

Maybe. That’s certainly not an answer you want to hear but it depends on the specific details surrounding your brain injury claim. When you or a loved one suffers from a brain injury, accepting a reasonable settlement offer from the at-fault party could make sense. It means you can avoid a costly and time-consuming trial and start the healing process quickly. However,

Problems with a settlement:

It doesn’t always account for all future medical bills

It can be difficult to fully calculate damages

People think their insurance company is on their side

Don’t attempt a brain injury settlement alone. Having an experienced and trusted team guiding you through your brain injury claim is of extreme importance. The Steinberg Injury Lawyers know how to calculate the damages associated with a brain injury, so you can ensure all your future medical bills are covered.

What Damages are there for a Brain Injury?

Generally speaking, there are special damages and general damages.

Special damages are awarded when money is enough. For example:

Lost wages

Current and future medical expenses

Property damage

General damages are only awarded when money is not enough to compensate someone for their injury. These include:

Pain and suffering

Loss of companionship

Embarrassment

Mental anguish

Emotional distress

How to Calculate Damages?

Calculation of damages can be a daunting task. Calculating special damages is the easy part. You can add up your existing medical bills and your lost wages. Then you may have to guess on the future medical bills and how long you’ll be out of work.

General damages are more challenging. A simple bruise on the forehead is not as severe as a concussion and will not receive as much compensation. Keeping meticulous notes and ensuring your doctor reviews your injury regularly will ensure you get the compensation you deserve.

Ensuring your calculation is as accurate as possible is paramount to your ability to recover or care for your loved one. Brain injuries can be lifelong experiences and if you miscalculate, you could end up having to pay out of pocket for injuries that you did not cause.

Contact Your Los Angeles Brain Injury Lawyer

Encountering a brain injury, whether having it happen to a loved one or yourself, is scary. Calculating damages and forecasting how much money you’ll need to recover and live a full life can be just as daunting. That’s why you deserve the trusted representatives at Steinberg Injury Lawyers. Call us today at 800-989-6385 for a free, no obligation evaluation of your case to see how we can help you heal and move forward.

Bicycles are a great mode of transportation. They are economical and good for the environment. While many areas of California have adopted more bike-friendly roadways, many areas are still heavily reliant on vehicle transportation. Vehicles are notoriously bad at sharing the road with bicycles. As a bicycle rider, it’s your duty to ensure your own safety.

Bicycles are Subject to the Rules of the Road

Just because you’re riding a bicycle, that does not mean the laws don’t apply to you. The police can pull you over for running a red light on a bicycle. The police can pull you over for running a stop sign while riding a bike. But the biggest reason to follow the rules of the road while riding a bike? Your own safety.

If you’re weaving in and out of traffic, if you’re failing to abide by the rules of the road, you are more likely to end up in an accident, whether you’re in a car or on a bike. But remember, when you’re on a bike and in an accident, your injuries and usually more severe because you have less protection.

Bicycle Preparation

Most bike riders adhere to the ABC rule of bike riding: Air, Brakes, Chain. Just as you would “kick the tires” before a long road trip in the family station wagon, making sure you check these items on your bike routinely and before venturing out on a busy roadway will help ensure your safety.

Check to make sure your tires are inflated to the recommended amount. Make sure your brakes are working correctly so you can stop quickly, if needed. Also, make sure both the front and back brakes work. If you have to slam on the brakes suddenly but only the front brakes are working, you could end up flipping forward and causing additional harm to yourself. Finally, make sure your chain is well oiled, has no kinks, and is not broken.

Don’t Blend In

You will already be harder to see while riding a bike because the bike is much smaller than a car. Wear a bright colored or reflective jacket to increase your visibility to other drivers. During winter months especially, when the days are shorter, make sure you have reflective material or lights on your bike. You want to mimic cars: white lights in front and red lights on back. This way, just like cars, other drivers know which direction you’re heading just by seeing your lights.

Contact Your Southern California Personal Injury Lawyer

Despite the careful preparation and defensive strategies while riding your bike, accidents can and do happen. When you are injured while riding a bicycle, the injuries can be severe and costly. This is why you need the trusted team of Steinberg Injury Lawyers to be the vigorous representation you need and deserve. We can help you get back on your bike and get back to the life you love. Get a free, no obligation evaluation of your case by calling 800-989-6385.

Dogs are a part of the family. They are sad when we leave and they are the most excited person in the house when we get home. We love them and they love us.

But dogs are animals with animal instincts. On occasion, those instincts overcome their domestication and they lash out. Maybe someone touched them too aggressively or the dog became scared. Maybe that someone was even you or your child. Regardless of who the dog bit, California has strict laws on what happens when a dog bites a human.

California Dog Owners are Liable for Dog Bites

According to California law, the owner of a dog is liable for the injuries caused by their dog. This is a strict liability law which means there are very few exceptions. But in most circumstances, dog owners are liable for the injuries their dog causes. This law applies in public and on your private property, so long as the injured person was invited onto your property.

What about Dog Walkers?

Unless a dog walker, a dog handler, or a friend who is walking the dog does something proactive to cause the dog to bite someone, they are not liable. But the owner of the dog is still liable for the injuries to the person who received a bite even if the dog was under someone else’s control.

What are the Exceptions?

Trespassers on your property who are injured by a dog bite may not be able to hold you completely liable for their injuries. However, it’s worth noting if you train your dog to attack anyone who enters your property, a court may find that unreasonable behavior and hold you liable for the injuries suffered by the trespasser. Otherwise, the trespasser will have to show you were negligent in order to successfully sue you for their injuries.

What about the Dog?

If a dog attacks a human or another animal twice within a three-year period or if a dog bites a human once and causes minor injuries, California classifies the dog as potentially dangerous. This classification requires dog owners to keep the dog locked up behind a fence or indoors at all times. If no other attacks occur within three years, the dog is removed from the potentially dangerous classification.

If, however, a dog has severely injured or killed a human, they are classified as vicious. This classification requires a hearing before a judge where the dog may be transferred to animal control where it is euthanized. This may sound extreme, but it is done to protect the safety of not only your family but also the surrounding community.

Contact Your Los Angeles Dog Bite Attorneys

Dog bites happen. Sometimes they are provoked and sometimes not. If you have been injured by a dog bite, you deserve vigorous representation to protect your rights. The dog bite attorneys of Steinberg Injury Lawyers are ready to help you. Our seasoned attorneys have extensive experience handling dog bite injury cases just like yours. Contact us today by calling 800-989-6385 for a free, no obligation evaluation of your case.

According to authorities, the transport truck carrying Cantaloupe struck an unmoving sedan and flipped over, catching fire and doing unknown damage to the overpass above. Both motorists were killed in the incident.

The incident remains under investigation.

If you or a loved one have been injured in a truck accident in Southern California, call Steinberg Injury Lawyers, 24/7 at 1-800-989-6385 for your free case evaluation.

People fall all the time. According to the National Safety Council, falls are one of the leading causes of unintentional injuries in the United States. You’ve probably fallen yourself. When you fell, did you trip on something? Did you slip on something? Do you know the difference between trip and slip? Do you care?

Probably not. But lawyers do. And good lawyers know why the difference matters. When a person falls, the cause is different and the injuries are different. The legal approach is different, too, which is why the details and circumstances surrounding a fall are so important to holding a negligent party liable.

Slip and Fall

When someone falls as a result of a slip, it’s usually caused by a wet surface or something slippery on the ground. This type of fall is the direct result of a loss of footing or a loss of contact with the ground. Usually, when someone slips and falls, they tend to fall backward instead of forward. This causes certain types of injuries:

Neck

Back

Hip

Back of head

Examples of slip and fall:

An ice cube has melted on a hard floor

A hard floor that has recently been waxed or cleaned

A hard floor where hair product has fallen and spread across the floor

Trip and Fall

When someone trips, they have stepped on something or not stepped all the way over something hard or fixed. This causes people to fall forward which provides slightly different injuries:

Face

Hand and arm fractures

Knee

Elbow

Examples of trip and fall:

Uneven sidewalk or parking lot

Door Jambs

An item left on a store floor

What To Do If You Fall

Whether you or a loved one has slipped or tripped and resulted in a fall, your next steps are important.

If there are injuries, call 911

Stay at the scene until help arrives

Take pictures of everything with your phone or camera, especially the slippery surface or the item that caused a trip

Contact Your Los Angeles Slip and Fall Accident Attorneys

Falls happen. Don’t be embarrassed. Falls caused by the negligence of another person should be reviewed by an attorney to determine your ability to recover compensation. You deserve to be compensated for your pain and suffering. The lawyer you choose will have a significant impact on the outcome of your case. At Steinberg Injury Lawyers, our seasoned attorneys have extensive experience handling slip and fall injury cases just like yours. Contact us today at 800-989-6385 for a free, no obligation evaluation of your case.

Bird and Lime scooters are a new mode of transportation that are rapidly gaining in popularity in California. These electric scooters provide easy mobility at a low cost to both the rider and the environment as an inexpensive, convenient way to travel. But as with most transportation, it can come with risks.

There are many types of injuries that can occur while riding a scooter. If you or a loved one have been injured while riding a scooter or by a careless rider of a scooter, you are entitled to compensation. You know you need to meet with a lawyer but do you know what questions to ask? Here is a good place to start.

Why are scooters so dangerous?

Scooters are not, by themselves, dangerous, unless there is an issue with the scooter like malfunctioning brakes. What makes scooters so dangerous are people. In many instances of scooter accidents, the person riding the scooter isn’t paying attention and runs into a pedestrian. But other times, the blame falls on drivers of nearby vehicles. Despite strict California laws attempting to reduce distracted driving, many drivers don’t see or don’t take the time to look for scooters. This is why, when you’re riding a scooter, you should take it upon yourself to be extra vigilant because you know the drivers around you won’t. Even when you are extra careful, you can still find yourself in an accident that is not your fault.

What should I do after the accident?

Being involved in a scooter accident isn’t fun. It can be a confusing for everyone involved, with uncertain feelings about how to proceed and what the next steps may be. If you’ve been injured, call 911 immediately to get help. Even if you aren’t injured, stay at the scene, take pictures of everything and report the accident to the police (and request a copy of the accident report). Exchange contact information with anyone involved as well as any bystanders who witnessed the accident. Call a scooter accident lawyer for help with what to do to move forward.

Who is liable for my accident?

Generally speaking, the person who caused the accident is liable for any resulting injuries. But, as with many things in the legal field, it depends.

If the scooter malfunctioned and you were injured, the manufacturer of the scooter would be liable

If you ran over a pothole and were injured, the city or state might be liable

If you are hit by a driver of a vehicle, their insurance would be liable

Many types of scooter accidents occur and there are just as many resulting injuries. Whether you have neck or back pain, broken bones, spinal cord injury, head trauma, or a concussion, scooter accidents can have lifelong effects. This is why it’s crucial to have your case reviewed by a knowledgeable scooter accident lawyer who can help you get on the road to recovery.

What kind of compensation is possible to receive?

Based on the type of injury, your compensation will vary. Regardless of the type of injury you receive, you are entitled to compensation. Types of compensation may include:

Pain and suffering

Medical expenses

Lost wages

Loss of earning ability

Mental anguish

Loss of companionship or support

Many clients mistakenly believe insurance will cover all of their needs. Some insurance companies prey on this belief and will make less than reasonable settlement offers. Taking such an offer may leave you having to pay out of pocket on medical bills and living expenses. You need someone you can trust to help you account for all of the expenses and get a reasonable settlement offer.

How can a scooter accident attorney help me?

Just like with any legal issue, an attorney is always a good first step. Our team can effectively and honestly review your situation and determine the best course of action to help you on your path to recovery. An experienced scooter accident attorney can handle settlement negotiations with the insurance company to help you maximize your compensation.

Contact Your Southern California Scooter Accident Attorneys

If you are injured by a distracted driver, a pothole, or a scooter left in harm's way, you deserve representation that will fight vigorously for you and get you the compensation you deserve so you can start the healing process. At Steinberg Injury Lawyers, our attorneys have extensive experience handling personal injury and scooter accident cases just like yours. Contact us today by calling 800-989-6385 for a free, no obligation evaluation of your case to see how we can help.

At some point, everyone has probably been distracted while driving. We’ve looked at an accident as we pass by. We look at a gorgeous house. We change the radio station. We do this while driving because we’re confident in our ability to react in time, should something happen. What about a more active distraction like the use of a mobile phone? Our phones are always with us and when we hear a notification sound, we just have to know what it is right away.

Many states, including California, have laws banning texting while driving. California goes further to ban all mobile phone use that isn’t hands-free while driving. But does that make a difference?

Mental Distractions

According to a study by Texas A&M Transportation Institute, there is no discernable difference in reaction time for people who are looking at their phone to type versus people who are talking to their phone. This means the distraction that most states have banned isn’t the cause. The distraction is mental. In this study, drivers who were texting by voice and texting by typince, took twice as long to react to changing driving conditions as those who were not distracted by their phone at all.

This study shows that the mental distraction of concentrating on what was said in the text and how you’re going to reply is the real distraction. Drivers should instead be concentrating on their task at hand: driving. When people fail to give driving their full attention, accidents happen. These accidents can severely impact people’s lives and even end them.

California Auto Accidents

While we wait for California’s laws to catch up with studies like the one from Texas A&M, we still have to deal with distracted drivers on our roadways, whether they are looking at their phone or talking to their phone. As a result, you may find yourself in an accident caused by a distracted driver.

Contact Your Southern California Car Accident Lawyers

If you are injured by a distracted driver, you deserve representation that will fight vigorously for you and get you the compensation you deserve so you can start the healing process. At Steinberg Injury Lawyers, our seasoned attorneys have extensive experience handling automobile accident injury cases just like yours. Call 800-989-6385 today for a free, no obligation evaluation of your case to see how we can help.